During the holiday season, some people may forget to protect themselves and their families by getting immunized against the flu. Now they have additional opportunities to get a shot because Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin has extended its Shoo The Flu & Pneumonia Too! clinics through Dec. 14.

Clinics will be at the VNA offices in West Allis at 11333 W. National Ave., and at the Sheboygan office at 3313 Behrens Pkwy. No appointments are needed.

Appointments can be made for dates and times not listed on the web site by calling 414-328-4495.

Medicare Part B and Medicaid cover the cost of flu and pneumonia vaccinations. For people not on Medicare or Medicaid, the charge is $30 for a flu shot and $45 for a pneumonia shot. A limited supply of thimerosal-free vaccine is available for $35 per shot. For healthy individuals between the ages of nine and 49, the nasal spray FluMist is available for $35. FluMist is also thimerosal-free.

"A flu shot is the most effective way to protect yourself from influenza and its potentially dangerous complications. More than 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations are caused by the flu each year," said Lisa Taylor, RN, clinical coordinator for Aurora VNA.

A flu shot is recommended for:

Anyone 50 years of age or older

Women who will be pregnant during flu season

Anyone with long-term health problems

Anyone with a weakened immune system

Anyone with muscle or nerve disorders that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems

Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities

Health care providers

Household contacts and caregivers of children from birth to 5 years of age

Household contacts and caregivers of people 50 years and older, and those who are at risk of serious complications from influenza

People who provide essential community services

People living in residence halls or other crowded conditions

People who travel to the Southern hemisphere between April and September or in organized tourist groups at any time

Anyone who wants to reduce his/her chance of catching influenza or spreading influenza to others

Since flu strains change from year to year, it is necessary to be vaccinated annually. All the viruses in the vaccine have been killed, so people cannot get the flu from a flu shot.

Pneumonia vaccinations also are available at the clinics. A pneumonia shot is recommended if you are 65 or older, or under 65 with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or heart or lung diseases. Usually, one dose of pneumococcal vaccine is recommended per lifetime. Certain individuals may benefit from an additional dose.

For more information about Shoo The Flu clinics, please click here or call 800-548-7580. Flu shots also are available through your physicians' office or Aurora QuickCare sites across eastern Wisconsin. To find the QuickCare nearest you, please click on www.aurora.org/quickcare.

This year, Aurora Visiting Nurse Association marks its 100th anniversary of finding better ways to meet the home health care needs of eastern Wisconsin. Aurora VNA is a not-for-profit agency that has been committed to keeping people independent in their homes since 1907, and is the most comprehensive source of home care services in eastern Wisconsin. Aurora VNA is part of Aurora Health Care, a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider and a nationally recognized leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care.

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